Rory McIlroy finds The Open Championship answer with help of secret weapon

Kylee HansenFri, July 17, 2026 at 4:41 PM UTC

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Rory McIlroy's secret weapon this week is the driver -Credit:Getty Images

Rory McIlroy has struggled with his driver in recent weeks, but it’s becoming his secret weapon at The Open Championship.

The world No. 2 bounced back on Friday with a three-under 67 in the second round at the 154th Open Championship, and moved to even par on the tournament after shooting three-over during the first round and risking his weekend plans.

Around 11:30 a.m. ET, the projected cut for the season's final major championship stood at one-over par. McIlroy, having dug himself a hole during the opening round, successfully climbed his way out. “It was a little better,” said McIlroy following the second round.

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“I felt like I had momentum coming off the end of the front nine there with the two birdies on 8 and 9. I felt like I stole a little bit on the back.

“Look, I think the main objective today was to be here for the weekend, which I am. I felt like I left a couple out there. Then you look at the board and you see a couple of 62s, and you feel like you could have done a bit better.”

McIlroy already has one major title this year at the Masters, becoming the first player to win back-to-back Green Jackets since Tiger Woods in 2002. Now, the Claret Jug may be out of sight, but the bags stay unpacked thanks to his driver.

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McIlroy is hunting for his seventh major title -Credit:Getty Images

“It depends on the conditions and the way the wind direction is,” said McIlroy. “I think I've driven the ball so well the last two days. I think anytime I can get a driver in my hand, I'm going to try to.

“I just feel like with how I'm feeling with the driver, I think it's a big advantage if I can get the ball down there and take out some of these fairway bunkers.

“I'll continue to do that when I can, and then I'm still trying to figure out these greens a little bit. I've struggled the last couple of days. It was a little better today, but still didn't feel 100 percent comfortable.

"Hopefully try to figure that out as the week goes on."

With a comeback win, McIlroy would earn his seventh major title in his 17th start at the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, as he played alongside home favorite Matt Fitzpatrick.

He’s also working on being assertive on the links course, but only when it allows him to be.

“There's times when I could have been more aggressive and hit iron off of the tee because that was the better play,” said McIlroy.

“I'm picking and choosing my spots when to be aggressive.”

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Source: “AOL Sports”